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Health & Wellness News

Gift to St. Luke's supports health system's growth in pediatric services

Mike and Jean Grabarits gift to St. Luke's
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For LehighValleyNews.com
St. Luke's University Health Network is naming part of its St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Center off Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township for Mike and Jean Grabarits (middle). With the couple are Jessika Haynos, St. Luke's pediatrics service line administrator, left, and Dr. Jennifer Janco, chair of pediatrics, right.

  • St. Luke's opened its new children's hospital earlier this year
  • Mike Grabarits is the former president and chief academic adviser of Step By Step Learning
  • Part of the St. Luke's Pediatric Specialty Center will bear Mike and Jean Grabarits' name

UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A Lehigh Valley couple who dedicated years to improving child literacy outcomes was recognized Monday by St. Luke’s University Health Network.

The health system honored Mike and Jean Grabarits for their gift to pediatric services at the new St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital.

Mike Grabarits is the former president and chief academic adviser of Step By Step Learning, an educational consulting company that has worked with local school districts and teachers to narrow academic gaps in childhood reading, writing and comprehension.

St. Luke’s opened its children’s hospital in June at its Fountain Hill campus and dedicated its children’s emergency room earlier this month.

The amount of the gift was not disclosed; a floor of the St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Center off Route 309 in Upper Saucon will bear the Grabarits’ name.

“This gift from Mike and Jean is so meaningful and appreciated by St. Luke’s,” said Dr. Jennifer Janco, St. Luke’s chair of pediatrics, in a news release. “This will certainly enhance the services that we can provide to our youngest patients and enable us to continue building upon our growing pediatric footprint in the greater Lehigh Valley.”

The Grabarits’ have been involved in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, including the Minsi Trails Council Boy Scouts of America and PBS39. PBS39 and LehighValleyNews.com are part of Lehigh Valley Public Media.

Mike Grabarits said the gift is a way to continue the couple’s efforts to support childhood learning and care.

“I believe you need to invest in your community and St Luke’s is a great institution that is caring for our residents that need specialized medical care,” he said in the release. “Our intention with our gift is to make a significant impact in the lives of children served by St. Luke’s.”